Compared to the 1970s, there has hardly been any change in the distribution of workforce across various industries. Comment.
The given statement is incorrect. There has been a substantial shift in the distribution of workforce across various industries since the 1970s.
In 1972-73, about 74 per cent of the workforce was engaged in the primary sector, which has declined to about 46 per cent in 2022-23. This indicates a significant movement of workers away from farm work to non-farm work over the decades.
The secondary sector has witnessed an increase in its share of workforce from 11 per cent to 25 per cent during the same period. Similarly, the service sector has shown promising growth, with its share rising from 15 per cent to 29 per cent.
This shift aligns with the developmental strategies in India, which have aimed at reducing the proportion of people depending on agriculture. The secondary and service sectors are showing promising future for the Indian workforce.
However, it is important to note that despite this shift, the primary sector remains the main source of employment for the majority of workers, and the nature of employment has become more informal with limited social security measures available to workers.
Explanation
The question tests the student's understanding of structural changes in employment patterns in India. The textbook clearly contradicts the statement by providing statistical evidence of substantial changes in workforce distribution across sectors from 1972-73 to 2022-23. The primary sector's share declined from 74% to 46%, while secondary and service sectors increased their shares significantly. This reflects the successful implementation of developmental strategies aimed at reducing dependence on agriculture.